What is the white stuff in molluscum?

Because it is a skin infection, the only real sign or symptom of molluscum contagiosum are the small round pink, white, or skin-colored mollusca on the skin. These bumps are filled with a white, waxy pus core that contains the virus, and might have a shiny or “pearly” look.

Does molluscum look like a whitehead?

At first, molluscum spots look like white pimples. They then become round, pearl-coloured lumps that have a white mark or indentation in the centre. They are usually one to five millimetres in size, but can be as big as two centimetres.

What looks like molluscum contagiosum?

The following diseases should be considered in the differential diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum: cryptococcosis, basal cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and verruca vulgaris. For genital lesions, condyloma acuminata and vaginal syringomas should be considered.

What happens if you squeeze a molluscum?

Each lump (molluscum) looks like a small swelling on the skin and is round, firm and about 2-5 mm across. A tiny dimple often develops on the top of each molluscum. If you squeeze a molluscum, a white cheesy fluid comes out. In most cases fewer than 30 mollusca develop.

Does molluscum look worse before it gets better?

These bumps are long-lasting. Once a bump appears, it can last months before it begins to fade. Before a bump fades, it may begin to look worse, with more inflammation and with the white center becoming raised and more visible, especially after bathing.

When can you tell molluscum is going away?

Most of the time, molluscum clears up on its own without treatment. Each bump goes away in about 2–3 months. New bumps can appear as old ones go away, so it can take 6-12 months (and sometimes longer) for molluscum to fully go away.

Does molluscum always have a dimple?

Molluscum contagiosum are small lumps on the skin that sometimes look pink, red, or pearly white. Molluscum nearly always have a small dimple in the centre of the spot. If you squeeze the molluscum, a creamy, white fluid will come out of the centre. This is the part of the infection that is most contagious.

Does molluscum pop like pimple?

The skin lesions may go through three stages; the first is a small whitish and/or reddish bump on the skin. Over a few weeks, the bumps can enlarge to about 2-5 mm with a whitish pus head that develops into a small crater when it bursts.